Critics were hoping a public outcry would stop Fort Lauderdale from moving forward with a controversial plan to replace beachside basketball courts with pickleball courts.
So far, that’s not happening.
Fort Lauderdale officials say the matter was decided nearly two years ago when the commission agreed to the plan as part of the $2 billion redevelopment of Bahia Mar.
Under the deal with Bahia Mar, the city is required to convert the existing basketball courts into at least two public pickleball courts by January 2027.
After months of research, city officials have come up with what they think is the best spot for two new basketball courts. Under the current plan, they will be built on the sand at the far south end of the beach just north of the B Ocean Resort, several hundred yards from where they are now.
Critics don’t want them moved at all.
In late April, a small sign went up near the basketball courts that sparked an uproar throughout the city and beyond: “Coming Soon: Basketball court conversion to pickleball.”
Players and a sympathetic public unleashed their fury on social media, objecting to the plan.
Days later, Fort Lauderdale officials offered up a compromise: Two new basketball courts would be built nearby.
The city estimates it will cost $401,000 for the new basketball courts. Add in lighting, picnic tables, pavers and landscaping, and the total cost comes to $1.1 million.
Leo Lorenz, a founder of the Beach Ballers group fighting to keep the basketball courts where they are, gave the idea a thumbs-down.
“Nobody is happy with that,” he told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “It’s still displacing the people who play out there from the courts they’ve always had. They feel the developer is trying to move them away from their site.”
Gonzalo de Leon plays basketball at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, the site of proposed pickleball courts as part of a new luxury development, Oct. 8, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Bahia Mar developer Jimmy Tate says he’s not sure what the fuss is all about.
“They’re going to get new pickleball courts and new basketball courts,” Tate told the Sun Sentinel. “I don’t know what they are complaining about. I told the city we will pay for two new basketball courts back in April. It was a goodwill gesture to help solve a potential issue for the city.”
The way Tate sees it, the basketball players are getting a decent deal.
“The courts are still on the beach,” Tate said. “They will be able to use the same parking lot they use now. They’ll be closer to the bathrooms. And it’s the same park. There’s nothing within reason that anyone can complain about. Certain people just like to fight because it gives them a sense of purpose.”
The agreement to replace the basketball courts with pickleball courts won commission approval in January 2024 as part of the redevelopment of Bahia Mar.
The Bahia Mar Community Development District has agreed to foot the bill, paying up to $1 million for public improvements that will cost an estimated $2.1 million. The city plans to use up to $1.3 million in parks bond money to cover the cost.
Tate and his partners plan to transform Bahia Mar, home to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, into a world-class destination in exchange for a 100-year lease from the city.
The project, approved in mid-2023, calls for a 256-room hotel and four condo towers with a total of 350 residences.
As part of the deal, Fort Lauderdale is required to convert the existing basketball courts into at least two pickleball courts by January 2027.
Under the current plan, the city is prepared to build three new pickleball courts on the site of the existing basketball courts.
According to city estimates, three new pickleball courts — including lighting and demolition of the basketball courts — will cost more than $557,000.
A new playground, outdoor fitness equipment, landscaping, new picnic tables, grills and other improvements will cost another $477,000.
The total cost for the new pickleball and basketball courts and all other improvements: More than $2.1 million.
A map showing the upcoming changes at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park. Pickleball courts will be built where the basketball courts are now. And new basketball courts will be built hundreds of yards away to the south. (City of Fort Lauderdale/Courtesy)
Commissioner Steve Glassman, an avid pickleball player whose district includes the beach, argues that two pickleball courts won’t do. Three won’t either.
The city really needs to build four, Glassman said during a City Hall meeting.
“I think two pickleball courts is a waste of time and money,” Glassman said. “I think we have enough space. I think we need to have four courts.”
In this aerial view basketball courts are seen at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, the site of proposed pickleball courts as part of a new luxury development, Oct. 8, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Daniel Kozin)
City Manager Rickelle Williams said staff would explore that option but might run into permitting hurdles if the footprint for the courts extends east of the Coastal Construction Control Line, the state-drawn boundary for most construction on the beach.
“There could be some challenges with trying to accommodate four pickleball courts,” Williams told the commission. “We think three is probably doable and we’re going to work toward that. But four may be beyond what we’re able to do. We will make every attempt to have as many pickleball courts as we can.”
(City of Fort Lauderdale/Courtesy)
Fort Lauderdale plans to build two new basketball courts at the south end of the beach near B Ocean Resort. (City of Fort Lauderdale/Courtesy)
Glassman pushed back.
“I just think it’s worth a little bit further discussion with the (Bahia Mar developer) to see what we can do,” he told the city manager. “I’m just trying to alleviate the problem where there’s going to be such a demand. I think two courts is just not going to cut it. I’m just trying to anticipate what we’re going to face going into the future.”
Here’s what Tate has to say about the debate over whether the city should build two, three or four pickleball courts.
“The intent was to build between two and four,” Tate said. “You can get four without much effort at all. I did some research and it looks like four is better than three. If we have the money to pay for it, I don’t know what the objection would be.”
Lorenz had a different response.
“One, two, three or four, it’s not acceptable at all.”
Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan